Foundation Course in Essentials of Paediatric Palliative Care
A ten-week live online course for clinicians
Develop the essential knowledge and clinical approaches needed to support children with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses and their families.
Course begins: Wednesday, 11 November 2026
Duration: 10 weeks
Schedule: Wednesdays, 6:30–8:00 pm IST
Format: Live online
Session duration: 90 minutes per week
Number of seats: 40
Application deadline: Saturday, 7 November 2026
About the course
Children requiring palliative care have distinct developmental, clinical, pharmacological, communication and psychosocial needs. This foundation course introduces clinicians to the principles and practice of paediatric palliative care through structured teaching, case-based discussion and shared learning.
Each weekly session combines a focused teaching component with discussion of clinical cases and practical questions from participants. The course follows the Project ECHO approach, encouraging participants and faculty to learn from one another’s experience.
The course is conducted collaboratively by:
- Indian Association of Palliative Care
- Hyderabad Centre for Palliative Care, Pain Relief and Palliative Care Society
- Romila Palliative Care Programme
- Two Worlds Cancer Collaboration
Course curriculum
- Week 1: Introduction to Paediatric Palliative Care: Principles, Scope, Referral Triggers and Differences from Adult Care
- Week 2: Pain Assessment in Children: Cancer and Non-Cancer Pain, and Consequences of Suffering
- Week 3: Pain Management in Children: Principles, WHO Analgesic Ladder, Medications, Adjuvants and Integrated Care
- Week 4: Procedural Pain in Children: Pain Management and Comfort Care
- Week 5: Dyspnoea in Children: Assessment, Impact and Management in Hospital and Home Settings
- Week 6: Delirium in Children: Prevalence, Assessment and Management
- Week 7: Communication with Children and Families: Emotional Concerns, Understanding Death and Dying, and Support for Siblings
- Week 8: Children with Neurological Conditions: Normal Developmental Milestones and Symptom Assessment
- Week 9: Children with Neurological Conditions: Symptom Management and Care of the Bedbound Child
- Week 10: End-of-Life Care: Consent, Assent, Advance Care Planning, Comfort Care, Palliative Sedation, Memory-Making and Grief
Who can apply?
Applications are invited from:
- MD, DNB and fellowship trainees in Palliative Medicine.
- Practising doctors who have completed a recognised foundation or certificate course in adult palliative care.
- Paediatricians with an interest in palliative care. Previous adult palliative care training is not required for paediatricians.
- Physicians working in oncology, neonatology, neurology, intensive care or general paediatrics who are involved in caring for seriously ill children. These applications will be considered individually.
Selection process
Eligible applications will be considered in the order in which they are received. Where applications exceed the 40 available seats, priority will be given to IAPC members and Palliative Medicine residents.
Admission and scholarship decisions, together with joining instructions for selected participants, will be communicated before the first session.
Course fee
₹5,000 (Five thousand rupees only)
What is included?
The course fee includes:
- Ten live online sessions.
- Access to session recordings until four weeks after the course ends.
- Digital reading materials and session handouts.
- Pre-course, formative and summative assessments.
- A digital Certificate of Completion for eligible participants.
Scholarships
Need-based full or partial fee waivers may be awarded for up to 10% of the available seats.
Applicants requesting a scholarship must indicate this in the application form and provide a brief statement explaining the need for financial support. Scholarship applications will be reviewed separately and are subject to approval.
Certification requirements
To receive the Certificate of Completion, participants must:
- Attend at least eight of the ten sessions live.
- For each missed session, up to a maximum of two, watch the recording and submit a short reflective note.
- Attempt the formative assessment after Week 4.
- Submit an anonymised reflective case note of 400 to 600 words after Week 6 and receive a pass.
- Score at least 70% in the final summative assessment in Week 10.
Participants who score below 70% may re-sit the summative assessment once, within four weeks of the declaration of results, at no additional charge.
Digital certificates will normally be issued within four weeks of the course ending.
Course participation
Participants should be prepared to:
- Join the sessions from a location with a stable internet connection.
- Keep their camera on during case discussions and small-group activities.
- Complete the assigned pre-reading.
- Participate actively in clinical case discussions.
- Maintain strict confidentiality regarding all cases discussed during the course.
- Refrain from photographing, recording, downloading or sharing course sessions or materials without permission.
All clinical cases used during the course will be anonymised.
Cancellation and refund policy
- Cancellation at least 14 days before the course begins: full refund less a 10% administrative charge.
- Cancellation 7 to 13 days before the course begins: 50% refund.
- Cancellation within seven days of the course beginning: no refund. Transfer to a subsequent batch may be considered on written request.
- If the course is deferred or cancelled by IAPC, participants may choose a full refund without deduction or transfer their registration to the next batch.
Course Application
Please complete the application form below. Fields marked with an asterisk are required.
Contact Us
Course Coordinator: Email: programmanager.iapc@gmail.com; Mobile/WhatsApp: +91 6374659530